Locking device



June 3, 1941. H, RlCHTR 2,244,083

LOCKING DEVICE Filed April 25, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORN EYS June 3, 1941. v H. RICHTER 2,244,083

LOCKING DEVICE Filed April 25, 1940 3 SheetS-Shee'l'l 3 Sym m ATTORNEYS Patented June 3, 1941 *UNITED sTATEsfPAT-ENT orgie 2,244,083 v Looiinrrci;DEVICEl Herman Richter, Tuckahoe, Y. Application April 25, 1940, Serial No. 331,504 l s claims.` (co1. soi- 9) The present invention relatesto locking devices, and more particularly to devices for detachably locking to a hub member a co-operating: member such as a vehicle wheel, propeller or the like.

ily removable locking plate and in association therewith a simple construction ofv holding plate, Y the assembly being such that it canreadilybebrought to locked and unlocked y position;:by-`

means of a simple tool. y A

Other objects of the invention will appear-from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which,-

An object of the invention is to provide a read` Figure 1 is a vertical transverse view, partly in section, showing by Way of example a vehicle wheel detachably locked to a hub member:` bymeans of the present construction; Y f Y Figure 2 is a group view of the parts of Figure 1, with the exception of the hub cap, and showing them axially separated from each other;

Figure 3 is a vertical outside elevation showing the vehicle wheel in locked position without the hub cap; Y

Figure 4 is a fragmentary outside elevation of the lock plate but nesses of the wheel flange I'I and the lock plate toothed ring, hereinafter referred to.

The wheel ange I'I is provided with openings corresponding to the studs I3 and, referring to C: Figure 2,'the wheel I9 is placed on the hub il by movement to the left so that wheel flange Il abuts l'iub'II4 and thestuds I3 project through the stud openings l2| in the wheel flange II.

l",I'he'wlieel flange I'I carries four holding plate studsf25 for a purpose hereinafter referred to.

Referring now to the' lock'plate of the present Vinvention, this plate comprises two parts, a wheel .lock plate proper Z'IY'and la toothed thrust plate 29 threadedtherein.

Theiloci; plaie '21, is lprovided with a plurality over theF main body portion of the co-operating stud'and the other end of each slot 3l is less widethanwthe studdiameter but `vvide enough to receive theghub'stud necks I5: The lockv plate 21 is cio-operating plates and the holdingydetent, the

parts being in locked position;

Figure 13 is a view of the same partsin unlocked position ready for locking operation by- 5. 1 4.51K Figure 14 is a sectional view through vthe' hold-'.

ing detent, taken on line I4-14 of Figure 2;:

and showing part of the holding plate.

Referring in detail to the drawings, a--vehic1e;

hub plate I I is provided with four studsL I3', each1 of which hasv a neck portion 'I5'near the'buttom 'l of the stud. The neck I5,l is slightly wider'th'an:

the thickness of the lock plate, and the stud body between the neck I5 and the hub plate I I islonger axially'of the stud than the -combinedthickprovidedfalso withi'a` plurality of slots 33 arranged to receive the wheel studs25 and permit limited relative rocking motion of the lock plate with respect to the studs into and out of locking position.

'Ihe lock -plate 2l isvalso vprovided with a detent opening 35 arranged directly over the cir-l cumferential ,pathgjofmovement of the toothed thrust plate 29. y i

When `the lockv plate' 29 is positioned upon the wheel studs 25, receivingjthe hub studs' I3 in slots 3|, it .can be rocked clockwise, as viewed in Figure 8, into. locking relation with 'the stud necks I5. The'threaded hub of the toothed thrust plate 29 extends through thev lock plate 2l and is provided at its outer end with'a pair of diametrically opposite slots or notchesl 4for engagement'with a pair of lugs -43 on the tool 45, by means of which vthe' toothed thrust plate may be given a rotary movement clockwise, as viewed in respect'to the lock plate'Z'IlV `Owz'i-ng tol the threadedv Vengagement of' the Figure 3 with f toothed-thrust plate 29v'iin' the lockplate 21,'atl the beginningy of suchclockwise movement-of the thrust :plate by the'to'ol 'thethrust plate 29 carries wittr'it the look plate 221, rnoving'itinto stud -neck engaging 'locked' position. i

movement of the lock plate, however, is limited bythe length of its locking stud slots 3l and .therefore rotary-movement-'of the tool uvillr cause rotary movement of-i *theA toothedl thrustY plate jgfwith'wrespect to the lock 'pl-ate 2l; the

threaded lengagementofthe' parts being such as to cause the toothedl thrust l'plate 29 to travel tol f the left; as viewed in Figure 2, with respect'to the This vlockinglock plate itself, until its inner face abuts and thrusts against the wheel flange I1.

p Figure 13 shows the relation of these parts at the beginning of clockwise rotary movement by the tool 45 before thetoothed thrust plate 29 has begun to rotate with respect to the locking plate. Figure 12 shows the position of the same parts when the toothed thrust plate has arrived against the wheel flange I1. Further movement by the tool 45 forces the lock plate 21- toward the outer ends of necks I and against the heads of the locking studs I3 with such force as may be desired.

This grip of the parts, by means of which the wheel ange I1 is heldagainst hub ange H1 by considerable pressure, can be relieved and released only by reverse rotary motion of the toothed thrust plate 29 by the tool 45.

The invention provides a releasable device to, prevent such reverse rotation even by means of the tool.

Referring to Figuresl 2, 9, 11, 12, and113, the holding plate 5I is provided with a plurality of circular openings 53 to receive freelyl the lock studs I3 and a plurality oi openings 55'` ton receivev the wheel flange studs 25. Directly-over- Vthe opening 35 in the Vlock plate 21 the; holding plate 5I is provided withA a spring'presseddetent for co-operation with kthe circumferentially arranged teeth 30 of the toothed thrustr plate- 29;

Thus when the lock-plate 21 is in, lock-ing position the tooth engagingY end of; the detentA extends through' the openingy 35 into' thel toothed periphery of thrust plate 29.

The springA presseddetent EI isY movable inv detent housingv 63 fixed onv the holding:plate'zand` the forwardend ofthe detentisV beveled: on one side for (1o-operation with the beveled forward. faces of the thrust plate teeth'30. On itsopposite side the detent has a atstop face forco-opera tion with Vthe hat rear'faces of teeth 30; During' rotation of the thrust plate 29.*into locked" position, the detent 6I is moved into. its housing by each tooth, and under its spring pressure into the space behind the tooth. This continues until. thethrust plate 29 has been turned to itse'nal position (Figure 12) against the wheel I1:

The detent then prevents'reverse rotation of the toothed thrust plate, and thereby preventsl release of the pressurel grip of the locked parts.

ToY facilitate intention-al unlocking, however; the detent housing 63 is provided with a; right' angled slot, in whichY rides a side pin xed toA the detent. By means of'its outerhead 61 the-detent may be pulled against its thrust spring and' then turned to bring the detent sidepin intothe outer or holding part of the right angled' `slot (Figure. 13) whereupon the detent can be released, its side pin then holding v'it in withdrawn position out of co-operative relation -with the teethv 30.

By means of the tool 45, the thrust-plate Z'SfniayY now be reversely 'rotated until it.` abuts the'l'ock plate 21. Slight furthe-r` rotation in the samedirection (clockwise as;Y viewed in- Figures 3 andi 8) rocks the` lock'plate-Z'Ifout of'lockingfengagement with the studs'l', whereupon the parts maybe moved as indicated in Figure- 2, to detach the-wheel.

The tool 45 is preferably provided with ajplurality of' detent* return lugs I 1 I', sov lthat when the' parts are again lockedbyjtlie toolfo'ne oratnotlierv of the lugs 'II will engagev the det'ehtf'headaaid move it from the full' tov 'thel dotted' line position of Figure 4. This "brings the-.detent side pin out* of the holding portion of its right angled-Slot 841:31.'

allows the detent spring to return the forward end of the detent into operative engagement with th teeth 30, and continued rotation of the tool clckwise (Figure 4) will lock the assembly as ab'ove described.

`@Means are provided for maintaining the holding plate 5I in pressure engagement with the lock plate. This means of course may be varied inpractice but as here shown comprises a plural-ity of, coil. springs I5 encircling the studs 25 bearing at their inner ends against the holding Vplate 5I and at their outer ends against cotter pins 11 or the like, inserted diametrically in openings near the outer ends of the studs 25. It will bei understood, however, that other releasable means may be used for this purpose.

`I [t `will also be noted that the tool 45 is not an essentialelement of the present invention since inplaoe of the notches 4I in the threaded hub ofthe thrust plate 2S, said hub may be extended furthenoutwardly and provided with a pin, handle. or other gripping means whereby it may be readily rotated. In. any event, the locking assembly mechanism per se may be completely concealed by any usual or suitable hub cap 'I9 which may be spring` held in position as indicated-in Figure 1.l

The detentacts as a positive lock to prevent pressure relieving rotation of the thrust plate, even shouldl such rotation be attempted deliberately when the detent is in'v locking position. It will be apparent however that the detent is not essential to the construction described, since the thread'pitch of the thrust plate andA locking plate is"- inyany case suchv that mere rotation of the lock plate will lockv the assembly under such pressure asl-may be desired.

What isf' claimed is:

1. A locking device assembly forV detachable rotary members, comprising a hub provided with locking studs, aj detachable member having positioning openingstherein for receiving said studs,v arockablelock plate-having locking openings to receive said locking studs, thrust means between thvelockl plate anddetachable member andv having threaded engagement in said lock plate and being thereby movable axially of the whole assembly between said plates for pressing the detachable member against its hub and the lock plate against the locking studs, and a holding plate having releasabley stop means cooperating with the thrust' means for preventing thrust-pressure relieving movement of the thrust means.

2. A locking device assembly for detachable rotary members, comprising a hub provided with locking studs, a. detachablev member having positioning openings thereinl for receiving said studs and' itself. having holding plate positioning studs iixed thereto, a `rockable lock plate havin'g'openings to receive lsaid positioning studs and having `lockingopenings toreceive said'locking studs, a

thrust plate between the lockplate and detachable-.member andhaving threaded engagement said lock4 plate and. being thereby movable agially of the whole assembly between. said'plates for pressing thedetacha'ble member against its hiibfadtheslock plateagainst the locking studs, aggholding plate positioned by said positioning stiids andV having releasable stop means cooperatingrwitlfr the'thrust plate fori preventing 'thrustpressurerelie'ving movement lofthe thrust plate, :mdf for-:securing saidv holding plate in position.. v f

@3. A locking. device assembly for detachable rotary members, ,comprising a hub provided `with locking studs, a detachable member having positioning openings therein for receiving said studs and itself having holding plate positioning studs xed thereto, a rockable lock plate having openings to receive said positioning studs and having locking openings to receive said locking studs, a thrust plate between the lock plate and detachable member and having threaded engagement in said lock plate and being thereby movable axially of the whole assembly between said plates for pressing the detachable member against its hub and the lock plate against the looking studs, aV

holding plate secured to the locking plate, having positioning openings therethrough to receive said positioning studs, and carrying releasable spring pressed means interlocking with the thrust plate for preventing thrust-pressure relieving movement of. the thrust plate, and means cooperating with said positioning studs for securing said holding plate in position.

4. A locking device assembly for detachable rotary members, comprising a hub provided with locking studs, a detachable member having positioning openings therein for receiving said studs and itself having holding plate positioning studs fixed thereto, a rockable lock plate having openings to receive said positioning studs and having locking openings to receive said locking studs, a thrust plate between the lock plate and detachable member and having threaded engagement in said lock plate and being thereby movable axially of the whole assembly between said plates for pressing the detachable member against its hub and the lock plate against the locking studs, said thrust plate having a plurality of closely arranged projections thereon, a holding plate, releasable stop means carried thereby and cooperating with said thrust plate projections for preventing thrust-pressure relieving movement of said thrust plate, and means for securing said holding plate inv position.

5. A locking device assembly for detachable rotary members, comprising a hub provided with locking studs, a detachable member having positioning openings therein for receiving said studs and itself having holding plate positioning studs fixed thereto, a rockable lock plate having openings to receive said positioning studs and having locking openings to receive said locking studs, a thrust plate between the lock plate and detachable member and having threaded engagement in said lock plate and being thereby movable axially of the whole assembly between said lock plate and detachable member for pressing the detachable member against its hub and the lock plate against the locking studs, said thrust plate having a peripherally arranged series of beveled teeth, a holding plate positioned by said positioning studs, spring pressed releasable beveled detent means carried thereby and engageable with said teeth for preventing thrust-pressure relieving rotation of said thrust plate, andpressure means co-operating with said positioning studs for maintaining said holding plate in position.

6. A detachable wheel locking assembly comprising a vehicle hub provided with a plurality of locking studs each having a locking neck, a wheel having a disc portion provided with positioning openings to receive said studs, said disc portion having holding plate positioning studs Xed thereto, a rockable lock plate having slots to receive said positioning studs and having locking openings to receive said locking studs, said locking openings each having a narrowed portion to t interlockably a stud neck, a thrust plate between the lock plate and wheel disc portion and having threaded engagement in said lock plate and being thereby movable axially of the whole assembly between said lock plate and wheel disc portion for pressing the wheel against its hub and the lock plate against the locking studs, said thrust plate having a peripherally arranged series of beveled teeth, a holding plate positioned by the positioning studs, a detent housing carried by the holding plate, a spring pressed beveled detent movable within vthe housing into and out of engagement with the beveled teeth, and spring means cooperating with the positioning studs and holding plate for maintaining said holding plate in position.

7. A detachable wheel locking assembly comprising a vehicle hub provided with a plurality of locking studs each having a locking neck, a wheel having a disc portion provided with positioning openings to receive said studs, said disc portion having holding plate positioning studs fixed thereto, a rockable lock plate having slots to receive said positioning studs and having locking openings to receive said locking studs, said locking openings each having a narrowed portion to t interlockably a stud neck, and a thrust plate between the lock plate and wheel disc portion and having threaded engagement in said lock plate and being thereby movable axially of the whole assembly between said lock plate and wheel disc portion for pressing the Wheel against its hub and the lock plate against the locking studs.

8. A locking assembly comprising a member provided with a plurality of locking studs each having a locking neck, a detachable member having a disc portion provided with positioning openings to receive said studs, said disc portion having holding plate positioning studs xed thereto, a rockable lock plate having slots to receive said positioning studs and having locking openings to receive said locking studs, said locking openings each having a narrowed portion to t interlockably a stud neck, a holding plate on said positioning studs and having means urging'it toward said lock plate, and a thrust plate between the lock plate and disc portion and having threaded engagement in said lock plate and being thereby movable axially of the whole assembly between said look plate and disc portion for pressing the detachable member against said rst named member and the lock plate against the locking studs.

HERMAN RICHTER. 

